Why do I automatically sneeze when i step out into bright sunshine?

Answer 1

Your Olfactory and Optic nerves are very close to each other. Strong stimulation of one can affect the other. So, yes, a bright light such as the sun can stimulate your olfactory nerves and cause you to sneeze. It doesn't happen to everybody, but it does to many.

Answer 2

An excellent question. This is far more complicated than you might imagine. Since the detailed answer can get kind of long, I will summarize the main points. About 25% of people do actually sneeze when exposed to bright lights like the sun. We do not know exactly why this happens, but it might reflect a "crossing" of pathways in the brain, between the normal reflex of the eye in response to light and the sneezing reflex. There is no apparent benefit from "sun-sneezing", and it probably is nothing more than an unimportant (but annoying) holdover of evolution.

Answer 3

There's something about light that will trigger a sneeze. If you ever feel like you have a sneeze stuck between your eyes (you know what I mean) go look directly into a light. It will usually make you sneeze. Does me anyway.

For grins I just looked this up.
"Photic sneeze reflex (also referred to as sun sneezing, photogenic sneezing, or whimsically called ACHOO syndrome, a backronym for Autosomal dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst syndrome) is a medical condition by which people exposed to bright light sneeze. The photic sneeze reflex can also cause one to sneeze many times consecutively. The condition occurs in 17% to 25% of humans, with more common occurrence in Caucasians than other human races. The condition is passed along genetically as an autosomal dominant trait."

Answer 4

The reflex is probably the result of a malfunction in the fifth cranial nerve, called the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for facial sensation and such motor functions as biting, swallowing and, yes, sneezing. Scientists believe that in some people, the trigeminal nerve is linked to the optic nerve, which transmits visual impulses to the brain. So when someone with with this inherited syndrome sees bright light, their optic nerve is overstimulated, triggering the trigeminal nerve. Approx. 25% of humans sneeze, when exposed to the sun's rays or a bright light.

Answer 5

There's a name for this! It's photic sneeze reflex. It can even be triggered by looking at a bright lightbulb indoors.

"Photic sneeze reflex occurs in something like one-sixth to one-quarter of the population. It occurs more often in Caucasians than Afro-Americans or Orientals.

According to a Johns Hopkins medic named Stephen Peroutka, the trait is passed along genetically, with a 50 percent chance of inheritance.

Researchers in Sweden found that out of 460 subjects, 24 percent sneezed in bright light, and 40 percent had at least one sneezing parent.

Sixty-four percent of children with one sneezing parent were themselves sneezers, but two nonsneezers never produced a sneezer. (Isn't it amazing how I can make these things so easy to understand?)

Nobody's exactly sure what causes photic sneeze reflex. I see here in one of the journals we have an impressive discussion of the role of the trigeminal nerve nucleus."

Answer 6

vibrant indoor problem-free or vibrant solar can set off a sneeze. there's a thorough affiliation between the optic nerve and the nerve in charge for the sneeze reflex. The phenomenon is commonplace as Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helioophthalmic Outburst syndrome (ACHOO). there is yet another, photic sneeze reflex, that leads to diverse sneezes.

Answer 7

Sounds like a classic case of Allergic Rhinitis meaning you are allergic to something in the air i.e. pollen, ragweed, mowed grass, etc. Mission:Allergy is an organization that provides medically accurate advice on allergen avoidance, based on current scientific studies. Check it out and good luck!!

Answer 8

I do that too all of the time. So does my son. It feels like it is tickling my eyes on the inside so I think it might be a slight sensitivity to such a bright light.

Answer 9

Perhaps you are slightly more sensitive to sunlight than other people. It could just be a cause/reaction thing. I'd mention it to a doctor in passing the next time you see one. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Good Luck ! :)

Answer 10

Thanks for asking this question. I've sneezed in bright sunlight all my life. Usually three times.